Sergeant Arrested After Shooting Five Soldiers at Fort Stewart: Unanswered Questions About Motives and Security

The sprawling Fort Stewart military base in Georgia was shaken by a tragic shooting incident on Wednesday when an active-duty U.S. Army sergeant was arrested on suspicion of opening fire on five of his colleagues, injuring them. The suspect, Sergeant Cornelius Samentrio Radford, 28, was quickly subdued by other soldiers, preventing further casualties, according to Brigadier General John Lubas. While all five injured soldiers are in stable condition, the motives behind this shocking act remain unclear, raising numerous questions about the cause of the incident and base security protocols.

Conflicting Motives and Incident Details

Initial information, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case, suggests the incident may have stemmed from a personal dispute. The official stated that Radford had an altercation with one of the victims on Tuesday, and then followed him to a maintenance area, shooting him in the chest before firing at four others. The nature of the dispute, however, was not specified.

On the other hand, the suspect's father, Eddie Radford, told the New York Times that his son had not exhibited any unusual behavior recently but had complained to his family about experiencing racism at Fort Stewart and was seeking a transfer. This account adds another dimension to the incident but has not been confirmed by military authorities.

Suspect's Background and Unreported History

U.S. Army records indicate that Sergeant Radford, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, joined the Army in 2018 as an automated logistics specialist. He was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, had not served in a combat zone, and had no known prior behavioral incidents in his military record.

However, General Lubas revealed a criminal history that Radford’s command was unaware of: a May arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). Radford had been released on bail for the DUI charge and was scheduled for a court appearance on August 20. This discovery raises concerns about the effectiveness of the military's internal tracking systems.

How Did the Weapon Get on Base?

Authorities confirmed that Radford used a personal 9mm Glock handgun, not a military-issued weapon, in the attack. He had purchased it in Florida last May. The most pressing question for investigators is how Radford was able to bring a personal firearm onto a heavily secured base, as military regulations typically prohibit carrying such weapons. General Lubas stated that an investigation is underway to determine the security lapse that allowed the incident to occur.